we'll explain, just >>> tonight the first of three debates takes place between president obama and mitt romney starting at 6:00 right here. brandi hitt has more. >> reporter: the last time president obama and mitt romney met face-to-face was during the 2008 campaign season many tonight, four years later, they meet again in their first presidential debate, it is a critical moment with the race still very close according to the latest poll. >> mitt romney has to show up and be competent and compassionate and connect with the audience. the president is about mannerisms and style. >> reporter: while the candidates go through last minute debate preps, a speech obama gave in 2007 has resurfaced conservative website posted the entire video last night. critics call it racially divisive. he contrasted how families in new orleans were treated by the government after hurricane katrina compared to new york city residents after 911. >> what is happening in new orleans. where is your dollars? where is your money? makes no sense. tells me the bullet hasn't been taken out. [ applause tells me that some